Guide to Self-Service Moving

Employees havea lot of decisions to make when it comes to relocation.  There are also a lot of options when it comes to selecting a mover.  Have you ever paid the bill for a full service mover or  have you had the "pleasure" of driving a rental truck across the country?

Full service relocation is always a great option as long as you're willing to pay for it, or if someone else is footing the bill.  If you're looking for money-saving alternatives, there are options beyond the rental truck companies.

In the mid 1990's, there was an emergence of relocation companies that gave their customers the option to pack, load and unload their own belongings, saving them enormous amounts of money compared to a full-service move.  The unique difference was that they will provide a professional driver to do the driving.  Now you have the option of driving your own vehicle, or shipping it and flying to your destination.

The first company to do this is called Movex (http://www.movex.com/).  They began to offer this service in 1997, and its roots date back as far as 1984 when the moving industry was deregulated.  Movex only uses air-ride suspension moving vans and they provide the equipment to help load and unload (ramps, furniture blankets, dollies and tie-down straps).

Since then other self-service relocation companies have come into existence.  However most of them provide "pup" trailers that really are not made to move household goods and fragile items.  These services tend to have more instances of damage because of the nature of the truck.  They also typically do not provide other equipment to help load and unload.

If you are in need of some labor, you can solicit the help of a local moving company.  Or you may have friends and family that can help with the loading, but you don't know anyone in your new city.  or you just need professional help with a couple of really heavy items (entertainment center, piano, etc). 

Many local movers will provide you with a crew to come out and assist you with whatever you need.  Make sure you get a quote up front.  You can also use a nationwide labor provider like Eagle Labor Mgmt.  They have an extensive network of labor providers that can help with whatever your labor needs are.

If you need to ship your vehicle, Movex can put it in the same truck with your household goods and move it to your destination, giving you the flexibility to fly or drive another vehicle. 

Ultimately you want to make sure you do your research.  Compare more than just prices because all of the services out there are unique.


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